The Villa Mineral Waters

The Villa is unique not only because it was built in the 1930s by Italian artisans but, also because of its long and compelling history of having unique mineral waters. Virtually all the water on the property, from the swimming pool and spa to the guest villas and the main villa, all use this wonderful mineral water.

The History of the Villa Mineral Waters

Imagine for a moment the purity and freshness of the rain that fell on Canadian soil 10,000 years ago. Much of this pristine and uncontaminated water was absorbed deep into the ground where it began traveling more than 1,000 miles until it reached its final destination: the Carrizo-Wilcox (C-W) aquifer in East Texas.

Nearly 1,200 years ago, the Caddo Native American nation began migrating west from what is now Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana. When the Caddo arrived in Northeastern Texas, where the 5.5 trillion gallon C-W aquifer is located, they found hunting grounds with game, rich farming lands, and plentiful water that they believed had healing properties.

The productive land and life-giving water they encountered gave them reason to settle permanently in the area.  The Caddo flourished in northeastern Texas well into the 1840’s when they became more and more displaced by white settlers.

It was 1885 when a group of workmen discovered the vast water supply that lay beneath.  Since their discovery of this part of the C-W aquifer, it has been supplying water to residents from a main in-town well and via home deliveries for more than 120 years.

What makes this water supply so special is the impressive spectrum of beneficial minerals it contains. According to The Texas Historical Commission, “A 1913 analysis of the water revealed more than 12 minerals associated with healing properties.”

The town’s local newspaper, reported as early as March 26th, 1936, reveled that “people came from miles around to get this valuable mineral water.”

According to the Director of the Museum, Sandra Chamblee1, “An analysis of the water dated January 8, 1913, described it as being sodic-bicarbonate-alkaline-saline content believed by old-timers to be helpful for acid dyspepsia, indigestion, rheumatism, gout and diabetes. It also contained silica, iron ….”2

Ms. Chamblee continued saying, “For several years, the town had health-giving mineral water flowing from the water well in the center of Broad Street (US Highway 80) and Johnson streets.  Townspeople would carry containers to be filled, the Texas and Pacific railroad crew would stop long enough to replenish their supply, and people from the country journeyed for miles to fill their jugs with water for ‘health's sake’.”3

“At one time, the city shipped its mineral water to various parts of the country, as the town’s natural resource had become known for its apparent medicinal qualities,” she concluded.4

It is from this ancient aquifer that we draw our water. The wells deliver pure, unadulterated water. Every gallon is tested and certified under Texas Environmental Commission regulations.